KOFST: "AI Policy Must Create Synergy with Science and Technology for True Innovation"

Conditional Positive Assessment of Government's "Measures for Securing Science and Technology Talent and Innovating the R&D Ecosystem"

The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) assessed the government's recently announced "Measures for Securing Science and Technology Talent and Innovating the R&D Ecosystem," stating, "While the direction is positive, it will be difficult to regain trust unless the detailed tasks are further specified and consistently implemented."

In a statement released on November 10, KOFST said, "The government's recent focus on artificial intelligence (AI) policy must create synergy with science and technology policy in order to generate national added value," adding, "We must face the reality that key innovation stakeholders-such as government-funded research institutes, universities, and companies-still harbor distrust toward the government and politics."

The federation further emphasized, "The government must demonstrate the sincerity of science and technology-centered national administration through follow-up measures that can be felt in the field."

KOFST positively evaluated the new measures as "a correct shift in direction toward becoming a leading science and technology nation," citing the establishment of a talent development ecosystem, a shift to researcher-centered R&D, and strengthening the balance between autonomy and responsibility. However, it added, "Given that the aftereffects of the large-scale R&D budget cuts two years ago still linger, these measures must serve not as a simple restoration, but as an opportunity to regain lost trust."

Regarding the government's proposed 35.3 trillion won R&D budget and the "National Scientist System," KOFST called them "a starting point for returning abnormal practices to normal." Nevertheless, it warned, "If the structure in which the R&D policy framework is shaken every time there is a change in administration is not fixed, these policies may end up being one-off measures."

KOFST stressed that "AI is not merely an industrial policy but a core pillar of national competitiveness linked with science and technology policy," emphasizing that AI talent development and industrial strategies must be connected to basic and applied sciences, as well as the R&D ecosystem. The federation also stated, "Science and technology-centered national administration must not be swayed by changes in government if the public is to trust and support science and technology," and urged, "The government must go beyond declarations and follow through with effective action."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.